Puzzle



Feb. 13, 1951 t R. w. CULWELL 2,541,411

PUZZLE I Filed April 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I n z'entor Robert W. C ulwe/l Y B) y Feb. 13, 1951 R. w. CULWELL PUZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1947 Inventor Robert W Cu/we/I v a. y

mdflwvy EM Patented Feb. 13, 1951 PUZZLEv Robert W. Culwell, Hot Springs, S. Dak.

Application April 7, 1947, Serial No. 739,787

2 Claims.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in amusement devices.

An object of this invention is to provide means for receiving and directing a pin in certain prescribed courses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle means having rotatably journaled thereon, closure means including guide means for directing said pin.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for journaling said closure means on said receptacle means.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel bafile means for directing said pin, said baffle means residing in said receptacle means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple device having very few moving parts and which lends itself well to commercial manufacture.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty shall become apparent in following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1 and taken substantially on the line 22 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 2, taken substantially on the line 3-3 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken sub stantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1, taken substantially on the line 55 and in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements.

This invention has been devised to provide enjoyment and pleasure to people, both young and old, who enjoy puzzle type amusement devices.

A substantially circular housing I0 is provided with a plurality of concentric baiTles or flanges i2, starting at the center thereof and extending to the outermost edge. It is noted at this point that the preferred material of construction is commercial plastic of a decorative color or colors. However, other materials may be utilized such as metal, wood and others. Each of said concentric rings or baffles i2 is provided with an aperture or port I4. As is seen from an inspection of Figure 3, the said bafiles provide guideways joined by each of the said ports M. It is further noted from an inspection of this figure, that tie members It are provided in interconnecting relation between the said baflles I4. A central post or shaft i8 is provided in said receptacle and the first bafile 2!) is neither apertured nor connected with the next adjacent bafile by means of the usual cross member it.

A closure means is provided on said receptacle and an aperture is provided at the center thereof. This closure means is preferably in the form of a disk 22, the outer edges of which fall in the same plane as the outer edges of the said receptacle I 0. The aforementioned aperture in the said disk 22 engages a reduced portion 24 of'the said central post 18. By this construction, it is readily apparent that the disk 22 is rotatably journaled relative to the receptacle l0.

An annular recess 26 is received in one surface of the said disk 22 for the purpose of re ceiving a clip or securing means therein. This clip or securing means provides not only the securing means but also serves the purpose of a thrust bearing. An aperture 28 is provided in said reduced portion 24 to receive a lug 35 therethrough. This lug ,36 is integral with a ring 32. As is seen from an inspection of Figure 1, the ring is seated in the recess 26 while the lug 30 may be resiliently twisted for reception in the aperture 28.

Transparent portions 34 are formed as a portion of the said disk 22 thereby aifording vision into the inner workings or bafiie arrangement of the receptacle. Preferably substantially midway between the terminal portions of the said transparent portions, there is provided an arm 35 having a slot 38 extending longitudinally thereof. Enlarged ends 39 are provided at the terminal portions of said slot 38, thereby providing limiting means for a pin 40.

The said pin 49 is composed of a lug having a reduced shank 42 extending therefrom and said reduced shank terminating in a suitable hand grip 44. The reduced shank is slidably received in the said slot 38 while the hand or finger grip 44 and the enlarged portion provide limiting means for holding said pin within the arm 36. It is quite apparent from an inspection of Figure 1 that the pin is slidable longitudinally of said slot 38. Correlating Figures 1 and 3, it is further apparent that the pin may be utilized to turn the disk relative to the receptacle for certain degrees of angular motion. After turning a certain angular movement, the pin 40 will strike one of the tie members 16 thereby necessitating the return angular movement of the said disk. However, if the pin strikes a portion wherein there is a port 14, the pin may then be moved up to the next adjacent baffle closure. This process may be re- Y peated until the pin reaches the innermost portion of the said slot 38. Adversely, the pin 40 is then manipulated until it seats in the opposite selected land or surfacing means 39. It is noted at this point that the pin described hereinabove need not necessarily be in the exact structural specification set forth. It is within the purview of this invention to use a ball type bearing at the bottom portion of said pin M) or other modification thereof. Of course, this latter mentioned modification renders manufacture more expensive and for some purposes may be deemed not as desirable as the preferred pin. Further, it is noted that the pin may be obviated entirely and an ordinary marble be substituted in lieu thereof.

Due to the extreme simplicity characterizing this invention, a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that variations as to size and shape may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the present invention What is claimed as novel and improved is as follows:

1. A puzzle comprising a receptacle, a continuous center bafile in said receptacle, concentric annular baffles in said receptacle arranged around said continuous bafile, an aperture in each of said annular bafiles, tie members connecting said annular bafiles, a closure on said receptacle, a slotted arm in said closure, means for rotatably journaling said closure on said receptacle, a pin slidably disposed in the slot in said arm and slidably disposed between said bailles, said journaling means including a shaft fixed to said receptacle, said shaft having a transverse opening, and a clip removably received in said opening and engaging said closure to hold said closure on said receptacle.

2. A puzzle comprising a receptacle, a circular continuous center bafile in said receptacle, concentric annular baffles in said receptacle arranged around said center baffle, an aperture in each of said annular bafiles, tie members connecting said annular baffles, a closure on said receptacle, a slotted arm in said closure, means for rotatably journaling said closure on said receptacle, a pin slidably received in the slot in said arm and slidably received between said bailles, said closure including an opaque disk having transparent portions on each side of said slotted arm, said journaling means including a shaft fixed to the bottom of said receptacle, said shaft having an opening therein, a clip removably received in said opening, and the upper surface of said closure having a recess at the center thereof with said clip disposed in said recess so that the clip is substantially flush with the upper surface of said closure.

ROBERT W. CULWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 417,931 Miatt Dec. 24, 1889 456,826 Jenne July 28, 1891 1,071,874 Burbank Sept. 2, 1913 

